European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 7, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Three members a ass sub a lots Cash for a dirty Cash Story and photo by Dave Diehl . Bureau the old adage a those that can to do teach Quot should not be affixed to Melody Washington elementary school teacher at Raf Chicksands England. The 26-year-old, along with a former student Kevin Dozier and three air Force cos Are in a band called the adventures of Stevie v. In the past few weeks they be been rocketing up the British record charts with their song dirty Cash. The record produced by briton Steve Vincent the namesake of Stevie v a entered the British pop charts april 15 and soared straight up to no. 28. A week later the rap soul and jazz inspired song shot up to no. 11. Now its been sitting in the top 5 in the company of megabits like Madonna s Vogue and Paula Abdul a opposites attract. In recent Heady Days miss Washington As she is known to her daytime charges has been blushing by signing autographs for her pupils who have been seeing her not Only in class but on to and hearing her on the radio. She is not completely comfortable with the sudden Fame. Quot i just say a come on now kids a in a just miss Washington your music teacher Quot she said. Washington and the adventures of Stevie v recently hit what Many posters consider the Pinnacle of the British music Industry they appeared on the British broadcasting corporation s tuesday evening show top of the pops. Each week at least 9 million people watch the show which has been Host to big names like the beatles Bing Crosby and the rolling stones since it first aired in 1964. Quot it is the ambition of everyone in the charts to be on the show Quot said Ann Rosenberg of the by cd slight entertainment division. Bands and acts must have a song on its Way up the charts in order to get on the invitation Only show Rosenberg said. An appearance on top of the pops often helps boosts a record further up the charts. Such May have been the Case with dirty Cash which soared from the 28th spot to the 11 the after Stevie v appeared on the show. Ban members Washington Dozier air Force staff sets. Mark Dawson and Calvin Hyman and Patrick Washington Melody s Cousin Are ecstatic about their Success. The group is an offshoot of a rap disco and dance act they have been bringing to the club circuit in England and Scotland for the past nine months. Demand for the group in recent weeks has gone up ban members report. They Are earning More for gigs and while they Are far from wealthy the hit single is bringing in More Cash. Dirty Cash which features Washington a vocals was first recorded by the group last August. It made a lacklustre showing on the charts in december. The song was remixed and re released april 9, when it began its spiral to the top. While the Stevie v members Are basking in their Success they re also mired in the reality of record company problems. Washington is openly critical of Phonogram which she claims was responsible for the record s failure in december. She says they did no to push the song enough. In other words they did t hype the record to radio stations so that it would get the airplay and subsequently sell in the stores. Such is not the Case with Stevie Vas second release. Radio 1, the by cd a nationwide pop music station and Capitol radio in London Are giving the song big airplay. Dozier who uses the nickname Dizi said the Success has made him a Little More popular at Alconbury High school where he is a senior. Neither the Success nor the weekends on the Road have Hurt his schoolwork. Quot it s gotten better Quot said Dozier who is the son of a former armed forces radio disc jockey. The 16-year-old is the newest member of the band. Washington who taught Dozier at Alconbury until last year recruited him for his extraordinary singing talents. Stevie v is hoping for similar Success with dirty Cash in the United states but the ban members Are concerned that Phonogram wont promote it properly. If it is marketed properly Washington believes it can hit the top 10 there too. Meantime Washington a graduate of Albany state College where she earned a degree in music education is recording a Solo album. She expects it to be released by september. She Isnit taking any chances on this one though she a negotiating a contract with a different record company but she wont say which one. Monday May 7, 1990 the stars and stripes irk k Page